Storing Belongings in Arkansas Humidity
Seven practical tips to keep mold, mildew, and moisture out of your storage unit
Why It Matters
Arkansas humidity is hard on stored items
Hot Springs summers are hot and humid, and that moisture is what damages belongings in storage. Humid air warps wood, rusts metal, breeds mold and mildew on fabrics, and leaves a musty smell on everything — especially in a sealed unit with little airflow.
The good news: a few simple habits go a long way. Below are seven practical tips for storing in Arkansas humidity, plus when a climate-controlled unit is the smarter choice for sensitive items.
7 Tips
How to store belongings in humidity
Follow these and your belongings come out the way they went in.
1. Choose Climate Control for Sensitive Items
Wood and upholstered furniture, electronics, photos, and documents belong in a climate-controlled unit that holds steady humidity year-round.
2. Clean & Fully Dry First
Wipe down and completely dry every item before storing. Even slight moisture trapped in a unit can spread mold across everything around it.
3. Use Desiccants & Moisture Absorbers
Place silica gel packs, desiccant tubs, or moisture-absorber buckets inside the unit and around boxes to pull dampness out of the air.
4. Skip the Plastic Bags
Sealed plastic traps moisture against your belongings. Use breathable cloth covers or moving blankets so air can circulate instead.
5. Elevate Items Off the Floor
Set boxes and furniture on pallets or shelving. Keeping items off the concrete protects against ground moisture and the occasional spill.
6. Leave Airflow Gaps
Don't pack wall-to-wall. Leave small gaps between items and a center aisle so air can move and humidity doesn't get trapped in pockets.
7. Never Store Damp or Perishable Items
Anything damp, food-based, or perishable breeds mold and attracts pests. Make sure everything is clean, dry, and non-perishable before it goes in.
When To Upgrade
When climate control is worth it
The tips above protect everyday belongings, but some items are too sensitive to leave to chance. If you're storing wood or leather furniture, electronics, photographs, documents, artwork, instruments, or anything that can't be replaced, a climate-controlled unit is the most reliable protection against Arkansas humidity.
Our climate-controlled building holds a steady temperature and humidity range all year. Climate units start at $150/month, with 75% off your first two months with autopay. If you only need short-term or non-sensitive storage, drive-up units are also available.
Coverage is required while you store with us — you can use your homeowners or renters policy, or add SafeStor protection from $8.95/month.
FAQ
Humidity storage questions
Clean and fully dry everything before storing it, use desiccants or moisture absorbers inside the unit, leave airflow gaps between items, elevate belongings off the floor, and avoid sealing things in plastic bags that trap moisture. For sensitive items, a climate-controlled unit that holds steady humidity year-round is the most reliable protection.
Avoid sealed plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture against furniture and can lead to mold, mildew, and musty odors in Arkansas humidity. Use breathable cloth covers or moving blankets instead so air can circulate.
For wood and upholstered furniture, electronics, photos, documents, artwork, and anything sensitive to moisture, it's worth it. Our climate-controlled building holds a steady temperature and humidity range all year. Climate units start at $150/month, with 75% off the first two months with autopay.
Never store anything damp, perishable, or food-based. Damp items breed mold quickly, and food attracts pests. Make sure everything is completely dry and clean before it goes in.